Braden gave city a bear hug, then a public battering

Stockton has many strange civic intersections - metaphorical roadways that sometimes lead to nasty pileups.

Mike Klocke

Stockton has many strange civic intersections - metaphorical roadways that sometimes lead to nasty pileups.

Amid bankruptcy, some plod down the street with a sense of doom while others shout out their windows that we shall overcome the mess.

When our tattered image is discussed, there are head-on collisions between those who trash the community and diehards who emit positive vibes. And then there's crime. Increasingly, there's crime.

It would behoove Mayor Ann Johnston, her November election opponent Anthony Silva and all in city government to be aware that more and more Stocktonians are finding themselves at a dangerous intersection when it comes to crime. They're seriously asking two questions:

» "Do we hunker (or bunker?) down and fight this out, hoping that things get better and doing our part to help?"

» "Or, do we get the hell out of Dodge?"

From indications, one of the city's vocal and iconic boosters is choosing Door No. 2. More specifically, I-5 North out of town.

Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden used that baseball bat he carried to an anti-crime public gathering at Victory Park on Wednesday to - symbolically - beat the city he proclaims to love.

Braden was fed up. He'd supported his hometown at every opportunity. But he'd had two brushes with its criminal element - an attempted carjacking and a burglary at the dwelling of his beloved grandmother. He felt as if the Stockton Police Department didn't care. He called the new police chief a liar.

Braden - injured and unable to play this season - said he has decided to sell his house and, reportedly, move to Sacramento.

Stocktonians will debate whether this is an over-the-top reaction to the type of crime many face on a daily basis. They'll question his alleged coarse interaction with cops. Some will call it a valid response to situations that put Braden and his grandmother in peril.

Based on the social media reaction, it's about 50 percent pro- and 50 percent anti-Braden.

The "Dallas Braden Persona" in Stockton is more about attitude than athletics. There's no question he captured the moment with his Mother's Day 2010 perfect game. He'd done something fewer than 20 people had accomplished in Major League Baseball history.

In reality, that's about all he's done, mostly because of injuries. Nobody is going to confuse the limited depth of his athletic accomplishments with those of Stockton baseball products Von Hayes, Ed Sprague or Mike Macfarlane. He's not in the echelon of local NFL players such as Webster Slaughter or Derek Kennard. He doesn't approach Lathrop's NBA player/coach Scott Brooks or even some local Olympians (Brad Schumacher, Elaina Oden and Nicole Davis come to mind).

But the things that made - and hopefully will still make - Braden special are his fiery attitude and the way he embraced Stockton. He brought us along for a great ride.

The guy can't throw a fastball hard enough to break a pane of glass, but he can retire major league hitters (27 of them in a row, in fact, in his perfecto). He has resolve and tenacity. Ask A-Rod.

Needles punctured Braden to tattoo our 209 area code across his torso. He walked to the mound in Oakland with rap music from Stockton artists blaring. Locals could get A's ticket deals in Section 209. He fed the homeless in Stockton. He spent money on local Little Leagues. He supported our athletic and education scene.

And - perhaps most importantly - he chose to live here as the ultimate commuter. Braden wrapped his arms around the community and gave it a bear hug. Even when he was injured.

Then came the criminal incidents that caused him fear, his interaction with police, the outburst at the Victory Park meeting and his vow to leave.

How strange that this drama and turmoil happened just days before two local events called "Stockton Is Magnificent" and "Love Stockton." There are those strange civic intersections again.

Many of us would like to see Braden work out his concerns with the police chief, mayor and others. Things can get difficult after you allegedly play the "Do You Know Who I Am?" card. Ask former City Manager Mark Lewis.

But the differences should not be insurmountable. Stockton won't be a better place if Braden hightails it to Sacto and undergoes - figuratively, anyway - a 209 tattoo removal.

Contact Record Editor Mike Klocke at (209) 546-8250 or mklocke@recordnet.com.